$13m worth of drugs seized, four charged

FEDERAL police allowed more than 35kg of methylamphetamine concealed in ceramic tiles, and worth up to $13 million, to be delivered before arresting four people in Perth over the drug syndicate.

The multi-agency investigation, codenamed Operation Kamino, began on January 2 and involved the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the Australian Crime Commission (ACC) and Australian Customs and Border Protection Service.

Following intelligence supplied by the ACC, Customs and Border Protection officers examined a container from China that arrived at Fremantle, and found 17 pallets of ceramic tiles.

Further examination revealed a crystalline substance concealed within the tiles that allegedly tested positive for methylamphetamine.

The AFP conducted a controlled delivery on Wednesday and executed search warrants in the Perth suburbs of Wangara, Balga, Nollamara and Stirling where police seized about $38,700 in cash, a further 2kg of a substance believed to be methylamphetamine, and a stun gun.

Three men and one woman aged 21 to 49 years were charged with attempting to possess a border-controlled drug, namely methylamphetamine.

Police say investigations are continuing and they have not ruled out further arrests.

The maximum penalty for the offence is life imprisonment and/or a $825,000 fine.

AFP Perth office manager Brad Shallies said the operation had successfully prevented a significant quantity of methamphetamine from entering the Perth community.

A NOTE ABOUT RELEVANT ADVERTISING: We collect information about the content (including ads) you use across this site and use it to make both advertising and content more relevant to you on our network and other sites.